Sole straightening device for shoes



Jan. 20, 1953 N. c. DAHL STRAIGHTNING DEVICE FOR SHOES SOLE Filed Sept. 8, 1950 '3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 2o, 1953.` N, C, DAHL 2,625,696

SOLE STRAIGHTENING DEVICE FOR SHOES Y Filed Sept. 8, '1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 `GGGGGOOG` OGOOGOO'CJG OGOGGG-OO 000.00000() @GOGO-O00 Jan` 20, 1953 N. c. DAHL 2,625,696

SOLE STRAIGHTENING DEVICEV'FOR SHOES .Filed Sept. 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet .'5

Patented Jan. 20, 1953 SOLE STRAIGHTENING DEVICE FOR SHOES Norman C. Dahl, Boston, Mass., assignor to Dexdahl, Inc., Cohasset, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 8, 1950, Serial No. 183,785

9 Claims. (Cl. 12-129.1)

1 The present invention relates to boot holders for holding ski boots and other types of thicksoled shoes when not in use.

It is well recognized that the regular use of shoe trees in leather shoes serves to preserve the shoes in proper shape. For most shoes, the common interval shoe tree serves both to support the upper against wrinkling and t hold the sole in reasonably straight condition.

In the case of ski boots and other types of thick-soled shoes, however, the soles are so stiff that it becomes impractical to employ an internal, longitudinally extensible type of tree because of the hazard of damage to the upper of sufficient force is applied to maintain the sole in properly straightened condition. Furthermore, it is diliticult with an internal tree to provide proper ventilation inorder that all parts of a wet boot may dry evenly.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a boot tree of the external type, constructed and arranged to hold a pair of thicksoled boots such as ski boots, with the soles positively secured against twisting or culring, and without longitudinal compression on the boot sole.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide a boot tree wherein the boots may readily be inserted and clamping pressure thereafter applied in quick and easy fashion. More specifically, the invention -contemplates boot holding means wherein the clamping devices are arranged to swing out of the way when a boot is to be inserted, and to be returned to and locked in bootengaging position during the application of clamping pressure.

In the drawings illustrating the invention, Fig. 1 is a plan view of my invention according t0 the preferred embodimentthereof; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, partly in section and showing a boot clamped on one side of the device; Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the heel clamping mechanisms, looking toward the rear; Fig. 4 is a detail side View, partly in section and taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the heel clamping mechanisms, one in locked position and the other released for rearward swinging movement; Fig. 5 is a side view showing the device with a pair of boots clamped therein; Fig. 6 is a view of a modification of the construction illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4; Figs. 7 and 8 are views in plan and side elevation, respectively, showing an alternative form of device; Fig. 9 is a plan view and Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of a modification of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4, embodying unitary clamping means; Fig. 11 is a detailed 2 plan view of the pivotally mounted heel clamp member thereof, shown in locked position, and Fig. l2 is a detailed view partly in section, showing the clamp unlocked and tilted to permit insertion of a boot in the holder.

The device illustrated in Figs. 1-5 employs separate base members I2 and I4. The front member I2 supports the forward part of the shoe and carries the toe clamping means, while Vthe rear member I4 carries the heel securing de'- vi-ces. These base members `I2 and I4 may congveniently be formed of wood orother suitable material, and preferably are grooved von both faces to allow freer access of air to the-underside of the boot sole. To permit adjustment of the de vice for boots of different lengths, the base mem.- bers are slidable toward and from one another within U-shaped metal side channels I6 when the wing nut I 8 of clamp bolt 20 is loosened. Once the proper spacing has been obtained for a particular` pair of boots, no further adjustment is necessary, and the boots maybe removed and replaced without moving the base members relative to one another.V

The deviceis arranged to provide on veach side thereof positive clamping means for independently securing a ski-boot with the sole held in properly flattened condition. To this end, the boots are engaged at their extreme ends by means that exert downward pressure only, so as to permit maximum straightening action without lon'- gitudinal compression. Thus, the toes of the boots are held by the tip of the sole beyond the upper, to secure maximum leverage and to insure that the entire shoe will beheld improper shape.

The toe -clamps 28 are advantageously formed of metal, having their ends shaped to a box sec'- tion to prevent rocking relative to the studs 3,0 when clamping pressure is applied by wing nuts 32. Light coil springs 34 beneath the toe clamps conveniently maintain the clamps lifted against th-e wing nuts to receive the toe of the boot. Preferably the sole-engaging central portion 3'6 of the yclamps 28 is curved in an arc to permit the clamp to engage and t over substantially the entire forwardly extending margin of the sole beyond the upper. i l

The heel clamps indicated generally at 40 are arranged to apply positive downward clamping pressure to the heel of the boot so that the boot may be locked in straightened position without involving any longitudinal compressive force on the sole. Like the toe clamps, the heel clamps .are independently mounted and actuated, so that clamps may be mounted on the other ends of the studs 86 and 92, so that a pair of boots may lbe mounted, as in the first described embodiment, one on each side of the base board, but entirely independent in respect to operation of the clamping instrumentalities.

The advantages of the arrangement shown in Figs. 1-4 are substantially retained in the modication shown in Figs. 9-12, wherein a single toggle clamping mechanism serves for both boots. Like the iirst-described embodiment, front and rear base members |04 and |06 are adjustably secured in side channels |08. Toe clamps IIO are mounted on opposite sides of the base, in aligned instead of offset relation.

The heel clamping means comprises a pair of slotted uprights II2 which extend through and project on both sides of the heel base |06. Transverse pins II4 (or a tongued plate such-as shown in Fig. 6) retain the uprights in place while permitting sliding and tilting movement relative to the base.

On one side of the base, the uprights carry a sliding heel clamp IIS and toggle mechanism comprising handle I I8 and connecting links |20, as in the first-described embodiment. On the other side of the base, the uprights are connected to another heel clamp I2d for engaging the boot on that side of the base. For ease in inserting and removing the boot, the clamp |24 is pivoted on the uprights, so as to swing rearwardly, as shown in the detail View, Fig. 12, yet can be locked in clamping position when boots are to be clamped.

To this end, the clamp IM is provided with short arms |26 which are connected to the uprights by rivets |28 extending through the slots, thereby permitting sliding as well as tilting movement of the clamp relative to the uprights II2. The outer ends of the uprights are bent inwardly at |30, so as to overlie the ends of the clamp when the latter is tilted to clamping position (see Fig. 11). Rearward movement of the clamp is prevented, under these conditions, by lugs |32 which project upwardly from the clamp in front of the extensions |30.

To release the clamp |24 and permit it to swing rearwardly out of the way of the boot, the toggle mechanism is first unlocked to release the clamping pressure. The clamp is then moved inwardly ofi the uprights until the lugs |32 clear the extensions |30, after which the clamp will freely swing out of the way, as shown in Fig. l2. The reverse procedure is equally simple, when boots are to be inserted and clamped. .The clearance provided by swinging clamp I2@ out of the way permits ample rearward tilting movement of the uprights and toggle assembly on the other side of the base to carry the other heel clamp I |6 out of the way of the boot on that side. If desired, the outer ends of the uprights |52 may be joined by a cross bar |36 to hold the uprights in parallel relation.

I have thus described preferred and alternative constructions of boot tree, particularly advantageous for ski boots but useful for other types of thick soled boots wherein the insertion and removal of the boots may readily be carried out, and wherein extremely powerful clamping means are provided to insure that the soles will positively be held in properly straightened condition without stretching or distorting the upper.

I claim as my invention:

1. A boot holder for supporting a thick-soled boot with the sole in iiattened condition comprising supporting means against which the sole of the boot is clamped, toe clamping means for securing the forepart of the sole to the support, and heel clamping means comprising a heelengaging member movable toward and from the support, a pair of arms having guideways within which the heel engaging member is movable, and toggle means for applying clamping pressure to the heel-engaging member.

2. A boot holder for supporting a thick-soled boot with the sole in flattened condition comprising supporting means against which the sole of the boot is clamped, toe clamping means for securing the forepart of the sole to the support, and heel clamping means comprising a heelengaging member -movable toward and from the support, a pair of arms-having guideways within which the heel engaging member is movable, and toggle means for applying clamping pressure to the heel-engaging member, said means comprising a toggle lever pivotally connected to the arms, and a pair of links connect-A ing the toggle lever to the heel-engaging member.

3. A boot holder for supporting a thick-soled boot with the sole in attened condition comprising supporting means against which the sole of the boot is clamped, toe clamping means for securing the forepart of the sole to the support, and heel clamping means comprising a heelengaging member movable toward and from the support, a pair of arms having guideways within which the heel engaging member is movable, and toggle means for applying clamping pressure to the heel engaging member, said means comprising a toggle lever pivotally connected to the arms, and a pair of links connecting the toggle lever to the heel-engaging member, the position of the pivotal connection of the toggle lever to the arms being adjustable to vary the height of the heel engaging member from the support when the toggle lever is in clamping position.

4. A boot holder for supporting a thick-soled boot with the sole in iiattened condition comprising supporting means against which the sole of the boot is clamped, toe clamping means for securing the forepart of the sole to the support, and heel clamping means comprising a heelengaging member movable toward and from the support, a pair of arms having guideways within which the heel engaging member is movable, means for applying clamping pressure to the heel-engaging member, means connecting the arms to the support for rearward swinging movement, and means for locking the arms in a position substantially normal to the support.

5. A boo-t holder for supporting a thick-soled boot with the sole in flattened condition comprising supporting means against which the sole of the boot is clamped, toe clamping means for securing the forepart of the sole tothe support, and heel clamping means comprising a heel-engaging member movable toward and from the support, a pair of arms having guideways within which the heel engaging member is movable, means for applying clamping pressure to the heel-engaging member, means connecting the arms to the support for rearward swinging movement, said arms being joined 'by a cross-member disposed on the opposite side of the support from the heel-engaging members carried by said arms, the support being grooved to receive the crossmember for locking the arms in a position substantially normal to the support.

6. A boot holder for supporting a thick-soled boot with; theV sole;V in: flattened condition comprising supporting means against which the sole ofthe boot isgclamped, toe clamping means for securing the rforepart of the sole to the support, and heel clamping means comprising a heel-engaging member movable toward and from the support, a pair of arms having guideways `within which the heel engaging member is movable, means for applying clamping pressure to the heel-engaging member, means pivotally connecting the arms to the support for rearward swinging movement, the arms in the vicinity of the pivot being slotted to permit sliding movement of the arms relative to the support, and means for-locking the arms against rearward swinging movement when the arms are drawn upwardly of the support.

'7. A boot hold-er for supporting a thick-soled bootV with the sole in attened condition comprising afront base member, toe clamping means carried thereby having a sole-engaging member shaped to fit over the margin of the sole beyond the toe, a rear 'base member, heel clamping means' carried thereby having a heel-engaging member shaped to t .around and engage the rear portion of the heel, the front and rear base members being mounted in channel members engaging the sides of the front and rear members for longitudinal adjustment of the separation between toe and heel-engaging members, the heel clamping means including an upright, and togglev means for urging the heel-engaging member downwardly relative to the upright to clampthe heel ofv the boot tol the support.

8. A boot holder for supporting a pair of thicksoled boots on opposite sides of a support with the soles in attened condition, comprising toe clamping means for securing the forepart of each boot to the support, and heel clamping means comprising a pair of uprights extending transversely of the support in the vicinity of the heels of the boots and slidable in said transverse direction relative to the support, a heel engaging member sldably,v mounted on the uprights, toggle mechanism for urging said member toward the support,y a second heel engaging member carried by the uprights on the other side of the support, a pivotal connection between said heel engaging member and uprights to provide rearward swingingmovement of said member and means for locking said member against swinging. movement, when clamping pressure is applied thereto.

9. A boot holder for supporting a pair of thick-soled boots with the soles in straightened condition comprising a front supporting member having toe clamping means mounted on opposite sidesY thereof, a rear supporting member having heel clamping means mounted on opposite sides thereof, two.y U-shaped channels embracing thek longitudinal side margins of the front and rear supporting members to connect said members in longitudinally adjustable relation with the toe and heel clamping-means exposed on both sides, and clamping means extending between the channels intermediate the front and rear supporting members for drawing the channels into clamping engagement with the members to retain the latter in adjusted posiion.

NORMAN C. DAHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 978,286 Green Dec. 13, 1910 1,106,465 Loomis Aug. 11, 1914 1,943,657 Drury Jan. 16, 1934 2,266,258 Pierce et al. Dec. 16, 1941 2340,463 Gano Feb. 1, 1944 2,467,625 Mayo Apr. 19, 1949 2,497,187 Tomlin Aug. 16, 1949 2,513,372 Shurtz July 4, 1950 

